Blood, sweat and fears

The first weekend of self-isolation is nearly over - so I think we can all give ourselves a pat on the back for getting through it, and perhaps even for making the most of it. This is a time built for silver linings, so here are a few of mine.

On Saturday morning I went to Give Blood. This has been deemed an 'essential' activity, so those of you who can (and those of you who aren't vulnerable) I would thoroughly recommend signing up to a session near you. A) You get your choice of delicious snacks - I went for the custard creams, and B) you get to leave the house for a legitimate reason and interact with other humans. It's been the social highlight of my weekend!

Speaking of bodily fluids...(that sounded a lot more horrifying than anticipated) I have also been pumping out the sweat. Yes, that's right. As annoyingly self-congratulatory as they might be, those fitness fanatics are not wrong, and exercise really can make you feel great (I mean, so can cake, but I would suggest moderation in approaching both). I have been out running several times this week, which for those of you who are familiar with my exercise routine is highly out of character. I think I felt the urge to absorb as much fresh air as humanly possible (and as little virus, of course) so off I went with my shoddy running technique, raspberry red face and a safe distance of 2m at all times.

Thankfully I look wholly unapproachable when running, so there was no fear of unwanted social contact. And if this self-isolation state progresses and my newly-acquired habit of running goes down the drain, I have pre-empted even this by ordering an indoor exercise mat. I will be thoroughly disappointed if coronavirus doesn't leave me with a six pack and buns of steel. As I said, there MUST be some silver linings. Although at the rate I'm eating my feelings, a beach body does not seem likely...

I also have the good fortune to live with people who are willing to play tennis with me, so that has been our outdoor Sunday activity. Now on this I must put out a 'Do not try this at home' warning. Unless you're self-isolating with avid tennis fans (or rusty racquets, like me) then you shouldn't really be playing tennis. Unless it's against yourself. Which - I am led to believe - can be a one-sided game. Thankfully I'm awful which levels the playing field...against myself. Anyhow, even though we live together and therefore will immediately infect each other if one of us falls sick, we still tried out the 'elbow shake' in favour of the traditional sweaty palms, and tapped rackets in lieu of physical contact. I may even suggest to the PM that 'tennis racquet shakes' replace hand shakes. For one, it would maintain a distance of 2m between all terribly important people who are obviously above self-isolation, and on top of that it would look hilarious. Like a soft and sporty version of Edward Scissorhands.

So I would say all-in-all I've had a pretty good weekend. The sunshine has helped remarkably, although the only thing it couldn't brighten up was Mother's Day. I'm sorry to all the mothers out there who've had to spend this day alone, with only a paltry skype call as substitute. My mother numbers among these. I watched her open her present virtually, and thankfully I had already sent her card (which she underwhelmingly opened 2 days ago). So Happy Mother's Day nevertheless, and the children of the world promise to treat you to the best damn mother's day you've ever had...once this whole thing blows over.

Finally, you may have noticed, that I haven't yet talked about 'fear'. We've had the bodily fluids, now we move onto the cerebral lubricant. Fear. I think fear is very much a universal feeling in times like this. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the virus perhaps, and fear of the impact on our own happiness. Fear for the people we love. Fear of knowing the right thing to do. Fear of our own company. I guess it's good to air these fears, because in some slightly morbid way it's nice to know we're all afraid. But that's only nice if we also know that we can all help each other get through it. If it's fear of time that is eating you up, then divide your day into manageable segments and fill those with a different activity or aim. Before you know it the mornings will fly by. If it's fear of boredom, reach out to people via the internet and teach each other new things. Or set up a skype quiz like my housemate Will. Keep those brain cells active at the same time as checking in with your friends. Even have a home-poured pint if you feel it'll help your flow. If it's fear of losing the joy, then do what I do - get dressed up, put in your fancy earrings (at least there's no chance of losing them in your own living room) and feel good about yourself. We shouldn't just get dressed up for other people, and if coronavirus can't teach us that, nothing will. Read the books that were on your list. Watch the movies that you never quite got round to. Play board games. Phone friends. Reach out and broaden your network. Talk to the people who you might have let slip away.

The virus might attack the body, but that doesn't mean protecting your mind isn't equally as important. So stay safe, and stay sane.

Lots of love to you all <3

p.s. I cannot wait to get pissed in person with you when this is all over.